Welcome to Research Matters. This curated site highlights some of the University of Pretoria’s most impactful and innovative research which addresses some of our society’s most pressing concerns so that we can transform lives and communities. We are rated as the number one university in South Africa for research outputs. Our vision is to be a leading research-intensive university in Africa that is recognised internationally for its quality, relevance and impact. We develop people, create knowledge and strive to make a difference locally and internationally.
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In a first of its kind study in South Africa, Wendy Carvalho-Malekane, lecturer in the Department of Humanities Education, researched how young adults in post-apartheid South Africa construct an identity, with the emphasis on individuals with a biracial heritage.
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Few of us spend our days thinking about the forms of life that exist beneath us; even fewer imagine castles of clay and flourishing life in the soils below. Endemic to the soils of Africa is the fascinating small mammal known as the mole-rat that lives underground, excavating burrow systems that may extend for more than a kilometre.
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Dr Yolanda Pretorius of the Centre for Wildlife Management at the University of Pretoria (UP) has studied elephants for many years. She is an elephant specialist and the ideal person to consult with regard to elephant management.
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In the developing world, many people are still debilitated by illnesses resulting from micronutrient deficiencies. Over 1.6 billion people worldwide suffer from anaemia, which is mainly due to iron deficiency.
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Whilst South Africa has relied almost exclusively on coal from the Karoo Basin for its power needs for over a century, it has no known exploitable reserves of petroleum and very little natural gas.
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Malaria is a complex disease that has devastated Africa and parts of South Africa. Researchers at the University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control are combining research disciplines to understand and control malaria.
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